Bhumi Raj Group CMD Bupendra Shah Arrested for Allegedly Fabricating Documents to Acquire Prime Land
THANE: Bupendra Shah, the founder and CMD of Bhumi Raj Group, has been arrested in connection with a major land fraud case involving the illegal purchase of 80 acres of agricultural land worth crores in Nhava Sheva, according to police reports on Friday.
The Role of Forged Documents in the Fraudulent Land Deal
Shah, along with four others, including a serving village talathi (local revenue official) from Latur, allegedly conspired to forge documents certifying Shah as a farmer. This certification allowed him to bypass legal restrictions and acquire the prime land, said Ashok Dudhe, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai.
The case revolves around Shah approaching the other accused in Latur to fabricate documents that falsely presented him as eligible to purchase agricultural land. Using these fake credentials, which were submitted at the tehsildar's office in Latur, Shah was able to secure the necessary documentation to proceed with the high-value land deal.
Police Investigation Reveals Depth of the Fraudulent Scheme
"The bogus farmer certification enabled Shah to acquire the land in Nhava Sheva, which is worth crores," Dudhe added. The land in question is considered prime property due to its strategic location, and the fraudulent acquisition has raised alarms about the involvement of multiple players in this elaborate scheme.
Authorities are now conducting an in-depth investigation to identify the individuals responsible for preparing the forged documents and the middlemen involved in the process.
Bupendra Shah Remanded to Police Custody Amid Investigation
As of now, Bupendra Shah has been remanded to police custody until February 15 as the investigation continues. Police are looking to uncover further details about the network behind the forgery and the extent of involvement from other accused individuals.
The arrest of Bhumi Raj Group's CMD has sent shockwaves through the real estate industry, as the case highlights the growing issue of land fraud and the misuse of legal loopholes to acquire prime land illegally.
First Published: 15 Feb, 2020
